Bloody Mary

Here is the tragic, stormy life of Mary Tudor, daughter of Henry VIII and Katherine of Aragon. Her story is a chronicle of courage and faith, betrayal and treachery - set amidst the splendor, pageantry, squalor, and intrigue of 16th-century Europe. The history of Mary Tudor is an improbable blend of triumph, humiliation, heartbreak, and devotion - and Ms. Erickson recounts it all against the turbulent background of European politics, war, and religious strife of the mid-1500s.

I usually love Carolly Erickson's books but this one failed to capture me. Mary Tudor is certainly an Interesting subject so I don't know why I was unable to connect here. Ms. Erickson provides plenty of information in a well written format and the narration was okay but I just found myself wandering while listening.

Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy

Bridget Jones, the iconic character who sold 15 million books worldwide, inspired a major motion picture franchise, and became beloved as a Chardonnay-swilling everywoman, is back in this hotly anticipated third installment.

I love the original Bridget books and could not wait to read this installment. Now I wish I could unread it. Sad is the word that comes to mind when I think about this story. Bridget's once endearing mishaps fall flat in the world she now inhabits. The narrator's voice has a rough quality and I found that very annoying while listening. I did not feel that she was a good match for the title.

I Hear the Sirens in the Street: A Detective Sean Duffy Novel - The Troubles Trilogy, Book 2

A torso in a suitcase looks like an impossible case, but Sean Duffy isn’t easily deterred, especially when his floundering love life leaves him in need of a distraction. So with detective constables McCrabban and McBride, he goes to work identifying the victim. The torso turns out to be all that’s left of an American tourist who once served in the U.S. military. What was he doing in Northern Ireland in the midst of the 1982 Troubles?

Adrian McKinty is one terrific writer. He.creates memorable characters, interesting mysteries and witty dialogue. I really love this series since I knew nothing about the Troubles prior to reading The Cold Cold Ground. It is bit of a history lesson wrapped up in a great story.

A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail

The Appalachian Trail trail stretches from Georgia to Maine and covers some of the most breathtaking terrain in America - majestic mountains, silent forests, sparking lakes. If you’re going to take a hike, it’s probably the place to go. And Bill Bryson is surely the most entertaing guide you’ll find. He introduces us to the history and ecology of the trail and to some of the other hardy (or just foolhardy) folks he meets along the way - and a couple of bears. Already a classic, A Walk in the Woods will make you long for the great outdoors (or at least a comfortable chair to sit and read in).

I loved Bill Bryson's guided tour of the Appalachian Trail. The story stays interesting due to the author giving us tidbits of the history of the places he is hiking through and the history of the trail itself. There are also some hilarious interactions with the denizens of Appalachia-human and otherwise. His hiking partner, Katz, not exactly a model of fitness, also provides much comic relief. Overall a greatly entertaining listen.

Falling Glass

Richard Coulter is a man who has everything. His beautiful new wife is pregnant, his upstart airline is undercutting the competition and moving from strength to strength, his diversification into the casino business in Macau has been successful, and his fabulous Art Deco house on an Irish cliff top has just been featured in Architectural Digest. But then, for some reason, his ex-wife Rachel doesn’t keep her side of the custody agreement and vanishes off the face of the earth with Richard’s two daughters. Richard hires Killian, a formidable ex-enforcer for the IRA, to track her down before Rachel, a recovering drug addict, harms herself or the girls.

Falling Glass is a very brutal, fast paced thriller. Killian Pavee is an interesting protagonist. He is an aging (all things being relative) enforcer for an Irish kingpin in America but is trying to get out of the business. However, fate intervenes in the guise of a payday he cannot refuse. All he has to do is find an Irish airline magnate's wayward ex-wife who has disappeared with the couple's children. Of course all is not as it seems. There are some graphic scenes of violence which I found disturbing but the need to know what happened superseded any queasiness I felt while reading them. Adrian McKinty is a very good writer.

Wicked Autumn: A Max Tudor Novel

Max Tudor has adapted well to his post as vicar of St. Edwold's in the idyllic village of Nether Monkslip. The quiet village seems the perfect home for Max, who has fled a harrowing past as an MI5 agent. But this new-found serenity is quickly shattered when the highly vocal and unpopular president of the Women's Institute turns up dead at the Harvest Fayre. The death looks like an accident, but Max's training as a former agent kicks in, and before long he suspects foul play.

No Easy Day: The Firsthand Account of the Mission That Killed Osama Bin Laden

From the streets of Iraq to the mountaintops of Afghanistan and to the third floor of Osama Bin Laden's compound, operator Mark Owen of the U.S. Naval Special Warfare Development Group - commonly known as SEAL Team Six - has been a part of some of the most memorable special operations in history, as well as countless missions that never made headlines. No Easy Day puts listeners alongside Owen and the other handpicked members of the 24-man team as they train for the biggest mission of their lives.

Wow! This story was enthralling to me as the mother of a son who has just entered the armed services. The story is intense and had my heart in my mouth at times. I personally cannot imagine going into a building not knowing if there are people waiting inside to ambush and kill me. The bravery of these men and women takes my breath away if I dwell on what they do from day to day. The narration was very well done,in my opinion.

The Tudors

For the first time in decades, here, in a single volume, is a fresh look at the fabled Tudor dynasty, comprising some of the most enigmatic figures ever to rule a country. Acclaimed historian G. J. Meyer reveals the flesh-and-bone reality in all its wild excess.

This history of The Tudors was informative however the author's dislike of two of the family members is easy to deduce. Love them or hate them, Henry VIII and Elizabeth I made the Tudor family so fascinating. I personally love Elizabeth despite her foibles. Gloriana!

The Face of a Stranger: A William Monk Novel #1

A tragic accident leaves Inspector Monk with amnesia just moments after he solves the murder of a popular Crimean war hero. Forced to redo his entire investigation, a frustrated Monk faces a desperate murderer who will do anything to keep the inspector from discovering the truth twice.

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